While the Color of Water’s directory features over 150 water-focused experts available for interviews across the United States, we know there are more people doing important environmental work nationwide.
To lift up shared knowledge and solutions, we are excited to share a new landscape assessment we launched, spotlighting different directories featuring experts of color in climate and environmental justice.
Black, Indigenous, and communities of color are disproportionately affected by stronger storms, dangerous heat, polluted air, and unsafe drinking water. We believe that people who often experience climate impacts first and worst have invaluable stories and knowledge to drive our shared solutions and resilience. Directories like ours and in the broader climate movement help to bring these voices, which have often been sidelined, to the forefront of discussions and decision-making.
What’s happening with fair representation in climate and water?
Historically, people of color have been underrepresented or portrayed through harmful stereotypes in the media. Directories featuring spokespeople of color can help people share their authentic experiences and perspectives. Stories connect people to our shared humanity and foster more equitable policies and vibrant neighborhoods.
In 2020, many environmental organizations pledged to ramp up their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts internally, whether it be through more equitable hiring processes, creating affinity groups, or increased funding. In the “anti-DEI” push that came at the beginning of the year, these gains were targeted and under threat, which our community saw as a call to action.
To learn more about the work being done to platform diverse voices in the environmental world, we researched other speaker bureaus, fellowships, and networks celebrating experts of color.
Initiatives featuring water, climate, and environmental experts
- Agents of Change in Environmental Justice is a fellowship supporting emerging leaders from backgrounds underrepresented in science and academia to reimagine solutions for a healthy-for-all planet
- Black Water Professionals Alliance is a networking and support group for Black people in the water industry
- Brave Heart Fellowship is a fellowship supporting Native youth ages 18-24 in environmental justice efforts by equipping them to advocate and mobilize their communities to advance food sovereignty and protect traditional lands, waterways and sacred sites
- Diverse Environmental Leaders Speakers Bureau is a directory featuring 40+ environmental professionals of color who can help shift the environmental conversation in the U.S.
- River Network Leaders of Color is an affinity space and mutual aid hub for Black, Indigenous, people of color working in water
- Yale People of Color Environmental Professionals is a directory featuring 375+ environmental professionals and leaders of color from all sectors
This is only a drop in the bucket of all the initiatives and featured experts we found. Check out the rest of these communities and share them with your networks to find their next speaker or opportunity. Our movement is strongest when we collaborate and uplift the diversity of our experiences.
